Governor Riley Proclaims May 1-7 as “Physical Education and Sport Week” in Alabama
Governor Bob Riley signed a proclamation declaring May 1-7 is “Physical Education and Sport Week” in Alabama. Alabama is one of the leading states in terms of overweight, obesity, lack of physical activity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The condition of our state can be significantly prevented or modified with appropriate nutrition and physical activity.

Reasons to be more active:

• Obesity-related diseases cost the United States economy more than $100,000,000,000 every year;
  
  
• Physical activity reduces risk, at all ages, of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes;
  
  
• Almost half of individuals aged 12 through 21, and more than a third of high school students, do not participate in vigorous physical activity on a regular basis;
  
  
• Physical activity is necessary to support normal growth in children and is essential to the continuing health and well-being of youth and adults;
  
  
• The 60 million school-aged children and youth in the United States have the potential to acquire the knowledge, skills, and values that can lead to a lifetime of physically active and healthy living;
  
  
• In a 1996 report on physical activity and health, the Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service verified that regular physical activity is associated with improved health-related quality of life.

The Governor’s Proclamation also states that May is Physical Fitness and Sports Month. This proclamation should be used encourage a broader promotion of physical fitness activities and programs in schools, parks, recreation departments, employee associations, hospitals, and other entities involved in physical fitness. Alabama citizens need to learn more about the importance of physical activity for their health, to incorporate physical activity in their daily lives, and to join in an effort to create a more enlightened public attitude and response.

The Jacksonville State University Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation commends Governor Riley in his support of Physical Education and Sport in the State of Alabama.

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